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Facing West by Lucy Lennox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I stayed up to the wee hours to finish reading Facing West by Lucy Lennox. It's the first book in her "Forever Wilde" series of male/male romance. Main characters are Nico Salerno and Weston "West" Wilde.

Nico ran away from his home in Hobie TX at the age of 15. He hoped by leaving he'd give his mother and sister a chance at a better life. Fifteen years later, Nico has carved out a place for himself in San Francisco, where he owns and operates a tattoo shop. His world is upended, however, when he gets a phone call informing him that his sister has died and left him custody of her baby. Nico returns to his small home town intent on settling Adriana's affairs and signing the adoption papers to give his niece the loving family he could never provide. He wasn't prepared to meet Dr West Wilde, Adriana's best friend, nor was he prepared for the feelings that West and baby Pippa evoked in him. Feelings that have Nico thinking of things like home and family.

West can't believe that Adriana left custody of Pippa with her good-for-nothing brother, Nico. He remembers Nico as a punk kid, and the pierced and tattooed man who shows up in town isn't doing anything to change West's mind. Never mind that Nico Salerno is possibly the most beautiful man he's ever seen. As the two of them spend time in one another's company, West develops a grudging respect and admiration for Nico, who's had to learn to care for the baby while they navigate through the adoption process. West has always felt protective of Pippa, but now those feelings extend to Nico as well. West knows Nico plans to return to San Francisco as soon as everything is settled, but he can't help but wish Nico would stay.

This story was a study in hurt/comfort. Nico has had a rough life, leaving him with a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder. West is angry at him for turning his back on Adriana all those years ago, leaving her alone and adrift during the tough times she endured herself. Nico's narrow view of his homophobic home town gets skewed when West's big, crazy family welcomes him with open arms. Part of him thinks he could stay here and build a life with West and Pippa, but the larger part of Nico doesn't believe he deserves that life. It will take some meddling from the Wilde family patriarchs to give West and Nico (and Pippa!) the chance they deserve.

I enjoyed the book, which is why I powered through it in 24 hours. Lord, I wanted to knock West's and Nico's heads together, though. Reading this was often frustrating. It also lacked the humor that I've enjoyed in other books by Lucy Lennox (alone or co-authored with someone else). Nevertheless, I liked the story. Characters were stellar and the plot made sense as it moved forward.

Favorite line: "At least you're not the only kitten who's smitten."

Very good, although I would have liked more humor. Solid score of four.